Welding area on work bench

[topher5150]

I manhandled a giant solid wood work bench into my shed this weekend and looks like there's just enough room to squeeze the welder in next to it. My thought was to get a nice size piece of sheet metal on one side, about 3' wide by how ever deep the bench is. I'm wondering can I just use the ground clamp on sheet metal or would I be better off attaching some kind of ground boss to it?

 

[Boilerhouse]

I use the ground clamp on my sheet metal top all the time, even when I am welding something clamped in my vise. I occasionally polish up the spot where the ground attaches. Never had any issues.

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

The solid wood bench might be worth a fair bit, a shame to burn it. On my plywood bench I use a piece of 3/8" plate steel, 18"x24"